Notes and Editorial Reviews
As previous issues in this series have shown, when Antoni Wit and his forces are in top form in the music of Szymanowski, they're pretty much unbeatable. At last, we have a complete symphony cycle in performances that will serve as the reference for all newcomers. Szymanowski repudiated his First Symphony on stylistic grounds (too Wagnerian), and it certainly does not represent the direction he ultimately took. But it's still great fun: a big, bold, scant 20 minutes of colorful scoring and exuberant musical ideas. The Concert Overture is even more so. It's pure Richard Strauss, only better in some respects--packing all the ebullience of Don Juan or Ein Heldenleben (or both!) into a relatively
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concise curtain-raiser.
The performance of the Symphonie Concertante, one of Szymanowski's greatest works, is superb. Pianist Jan Krzysztof Broja plays the solo part beautifully. He's got the chops for the big moments in the outer movements, but it's his delicacy at the start of the central andante that's most memorable. Wit, typically, directs the orchestra with remarkable clarity as well as power. The finale in particular never has sounded less "clogged" texturally, while the very natural engineering always leaves plenty of room for the sound to expand and fill the hall at those ecstatic climaxes that are such a hallmark of this composer. A splendid release!
-- David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com
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Works on This Recording
1.
Concert Overture in E major, Op. 12 by Karol Szymanowski
Conductor:
Antoni Wit
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1905/1913; Poland
2.
Symphony no 1 in F minor, Op. 15 by Karol Szymanowski
Conductor:
Antoni Wit
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1906-1907; Warsaw, Poland
3.
Symphony no 4, Op. 60 "Symphonie concertante" by Karol Szymanowski
Performer:
Jan Krzysztof Broja (Piano)
Conductor:
Antoni Wit
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1932; Poland
4.
Etudes (4) for Piano, Op. 4: no 3 in B flat minor by Karol Szymanowski
Conductor:
Antoni Wit
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1902; Poland
Notes: Arranger: Grzegorz Fitelberg.
Featured Sound Samples
Etudes for Piano, op 4: No 3
Sound Samples
Symphony No. 1 in F minor, Op. 15: I. [Allegro moderato]
Symphony No. 1 in F minor, Op. 15: II. Finale: Allegretto con moto grazioso
Symphony No. 4, Op. 60, "Symphonie Concertante": I. Moderato - Tempo comodo
Symphony No. 4, Op. 60, "Symphonie Concertante": II. Andante molto sostenuto
Symphony No. 4, Op. 60, "Symphonie Concertante": III. Allegro non troppo, ma agitato ed ansioso
4 Studies, Op. 4 (arr. G. Fitelberg): Study in B flat minor, Op. 4, No. 3 (arr. G. Filtelberg for orchestra)
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